Dish-Houston

Wade Wilson Art is pleased to announce the Visual Arts Alliance Inaugural Invitational, a selection of works awarded invitation by Wade Wilson from the VAA’s 29^th Juried Open Exhibition. The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 30^th, from 6-8pm, and a meet the artists open house will be held Saturday, December 1^st from 2-4pm. The exhibition will remain on view until Tuesday, January 1^st, 2013.

The Visual Arts Alliance, founded in 1981, is a non-profit, educational organization for serious practitioners of the visual arts and interested members of the general public. Using monthly meetings, guest speakers, workshops, and hosting exhibitions, VAA has created a successful program for not only stimulating dialogue to better understand and develop the world of art between their current roster of 170 members, but to as well teach artists how to develop the business side of their craft. One opportunity presented to the members of VAA is the display of their work in a National Juried Open Exhibition, where selected pieces can be presented in one of Houston’s better known galleries.

For the 30^th Juried Open Exhibition, in which a record number of artists and states participated, gallerist Wade Wilson was asked to select pieces whose artistic merit warranted presentation in his prestigious and internationally known gallery, Wade Wilson Art. Established in 2006 to expand the international and national contemporary art circle of Houston, and now with a sister gallery Wade Wilson Art Santa Fe, Wade Wilson Art is firmly established in its conviction to represent consistently relevant, museum-quality art. It is this unwavering desire for quality with which Wade Wilson selected the VAA National Juried Open Exhibition, 2012 winners.

Wade Wilson’s ability to execute this vision came with over 20 years of diverse and quality experience in the arts. Having earned a Ph. D in the Interdisciplinary Study of Post-Modernism in Art, Architecture, and Literature, Wilson went on to publish over 300 essays along with many internationally published critical reviews. As a gallerist and art space director he has curated over 100 art exhibitions since 1987, and as a passionate philanthropist has been invited to sit on numerous boards such as the Advisory Board of FOTOFest, The Museum District Alliance Board, and served as Juror for the Bayou City Arts Festival.

The inborn passion and commitment of the Visual Arts Alliance to effectively nurture, develop and share their artists’ work, and Wade Wilson’s experience and commitment to selecting only the highest quality art to be displayed in his gallery, has gifted Houston with what Wade Wilson has called “an exhibit which captures the spirit of American Contemporary art…beautiful, haunting, clever, tough, moving, politically charged, technologically astute, provocative, disturbing, witty, and masterful.”

Whether starting your collection with your first piece, or adding to one you thought complete, the VAA at WWA, is a rare opportunity to obtain many future art stars’ early works as seen curated in a museum gallery setting.

Art aficionados and enthusiasts, get ready for the most captivating art experience of the year. Come for the art and stay for the music on November 17 and 18 as the streets of downtown transform into a live street art museum made of chalk. Houston Via Colori® is the only street painting festival in Texas, benefiting The Center for Hearing and Speech (CHS). This annual fall fundraiser is expected to draw over 25,000 attendees and raise more than $400,000 to support programs for children with hearing loss.

This free, two-day event will take attendees on an interactive journey through art, culture and sound. Visitors can experience the street painting process up close as artists bring the asphalt to life. With more than 200 street painters, 16 live bands and plenty of family-friendly activities, people of all ages are sure to enjoy this event.

“It never ceases to amaze me how stunning it is to watch each mural takes shape. It is all made possible by the uncompromising support we receive from Houston,” said Renée S. Davis, executive director of The Center for Hearing and Speech. “Our artists, sponsors and, most importantly, our attendees make this festival a smash hit. We are proud that we can share this ‘museum on the pavement’ with the entire community.”

Every year Via Colori displays some of the top professional street painters in the nation as well as the exceptional talents of Houston-area artists.  This year Via Colori will showcase the largest public art piece in the city, with a block-long mural illustrating Houston’s skyline and iconic landmarks. Award-winning artist Douglas Rouse and his large team of local artists, graphic designers and students will work around the clock and observers can get a birds-eye view from a platform above.

“As a native Houstonian, I’m excited to see our city skyline turned into public art” said Lisa Benitez, event manager of Via Colori. “This has really become an iconic festival. Every Houstonian can be a part of be proud of Via Colori.” When the festival ends on Sunday, the murals are erased from the streets and only photos remain!

For more information on Via Colori, visit HoustonViaColori.com, follow the event on Twitter @Via_Colori, or visit the fan page on Facebook.

More than 1,100 Houstonians will fill the ballroom of the Hilton Americas Hotel on Thursday to honor individuals and organizations who model excellence in their efforts to “change the world with a giving heart” in our local community. Local business executive, outstanding community volunteer and distinguished philanthropist James W. Crownover serves as the Honorary Chair. Among those individuals being recognized this year are long-time community advocates Emily Crosswell and Maureen Hackett. Corporations and businesses being honored include Chevron, Legacy Ford, UT MD Anderson, and Empty Bowls Houston.

VIPs expected to attend include: Arthur and Philamena Baird; Glenn Baird; John Beddow; Anne Duncan; Jeff Hildebrand; Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein; Joanie Haley; Steve and Joella Mach; Carmen and Butch Mach; Stan Marek; Ginni Mithoff; Bobbie Nau; Gifford Nielson; Gordon Quan; Beth Robertson; Barbara Robertson; Corby Robertson; Sue and Lester Smith; Ping Y. Sun; Gary Tinterow; and Wallace Wilson.

The National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon (NPD) is annually hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Houston Chapter. Noted as one of the largest events in North America, the Greater Houston Chapter’s Award Luncheon annually.

Individuals that wish to purchase tickets should contact Nerissa Lawford, AFP Chapter Manager at (713) 266-2800 or Admin@afphouston.org

“Deux Amis -- Amenez s’il vous plaît votre chéquier,” (Two Friends -- Bring your check book please), a joint art exhibition featuring contemporary artist Justin Garcia and internationally renowned artist David Adickes closed Sunday, Nov. 11 as a resounding success.  

Visitors to the opening and closing receptions agreed that the two artists’ works – both focusing on architecture and travels -- were bold, vivid and complementary.

“We have enormous respect for each other’s work,” Garcia said. “We see eye-to-eye on a lot of the same things, which with artists, doesn’t happen often."

Adickes’ art career as both painter and sculpture spans six decades. The artist is well known for his grand-scale concrete sculptures of famous musicians, heroes and U.S. presidents. His paintings feature groups of figures, landscapes and still lifes.

Justin Garcia (left) and David Adickes (right). Photo courtesy of Cadence EnterpriseGarcia began painting murals at the age of 12 and developed his talent through the years to create his own signature style. His paintings combine oils, acrylics and textures on canvas to create evocative art. For the Deux Amis exhibit, Garcia completed a series of paintings inspired by Adickes’ sculptures, including the four statues, “A Tribute to American Statemenship,” located at the Main St. exit from I-10.

Garcia is represented by Wade Wilson Art, and his works have been exhibited in several galleries, as well as installed in numerous corporate and private collections.

For more information about David Adickes, CLICK HERE For more information about Justin Garcia, CLICK HERE.

Cirque du Soliel has been gracing Houston with it's breathtaking shows almost annually and now tickets are about to go on sale for it's latest show QUIDAM which will open at the Toyota Center in March for only 8 shows. From March 6 -  March 10, 2013. 

Exclusive ticket offers for Quidam are now available online exclusively to Cirque Club members through November 15. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join CLICK HERE

Tickets for the general public will be available starting  November 16 online HERE, by phone at 1 866-446-8849 or in person at the Toyota Center Box Office.

Quidam had its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since that time, the production has toured on five continents and been experienced by millions of people. In December 2010, Quidam embarked on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas throughout North America. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters.

Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world—the world of Quidam—where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul! 

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past and swallowed by the crowd. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming or going at the heart of our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "quidam" whom this show allows to speak. This is the place that beckons - a place for dreaming and genuine relations where all quidams, by proclaiming their individuality, can finally emerge from anonymity.

To learn more about Quidam, Cirque du Soliel or to buy tickets CLICK HERE!